In a disturbing incident from Thiruvarur district, eight students were rushed to the Kumbakonam Government Hospital on 13 August 2025 morning after consuming food from the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme, where a dead lizard was allegedly discovered in the meal.
The students, enrolled at Punairuppu Government Primary School, had been served rava khichdi as part of the morning meal initiative. While eating, a lizard was reportedly spotted in the food, prompting immediate concern. The affected students were quickly admitted for medical observation and treatment.
#JUSTIN | 8 மாணவர்கள் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதி#Tiruvarur | #Students pic.twitter.com/zNAYZVqvam
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) August 13, 2025
This isn’t the first time serious lapses in food safety have been reported under the school meal programmes in Tamil Nadu.
Back in June 2025, a similar incident occurred at the Panchayat Union Primary School in Anaivari village, near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district, where more than 50 students fell ill after consuming a breakfast that allegedly contained a lizard. Many students began vomiting and fainting soon after eating and were taken to the Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre. In response, two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and an inquiry was initiated by the School Education Department, overseen by the Assistant SSA Project Director.
காலை உணவில் பல்லி.. அடுத்தடுத்து மயங்கி விழுந்த மாணவர்கள்.!#Viluppuram #Students #GovtSchool #Food #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/2FFfDhYoiz
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 24, 2025
Earlier, on 12 June 2025, yet another food safety breach was reported from Kallakurichi district, where students at a government school were served spoiled mid-day meals contaminated with worms and bugs. According to reports, the rice used had been stored improperly for over a month during the summer holidays, leading to contamination. A viral video showed distressed students pleading with the Education Minister for access to clean and safe food, highlighting the gravity of the issue.
These recurring cases have sparked growing concern about the quality control and safety measures in place for meals provided under state-run welfare schemes. Parents, activists, and educationists are calling for stricter monitoring, accountability, and immediate corrective action to ensure children’s health is not compromised.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.